Mechanical design engineering is a design process that combines design with the principles of mechanics. The engineer comes up with innovative solutions to solve problems, while also considering manufacture issues and safety.
If you are looking to design new products or improve your product line, then it may be time for you to hire an engineering mechanical design professional!
What is mechanical engineering design?
Mechanical engineering design is the process of creatively developing and creating a design that satisfies the design criteria or concept. Companies need mechanical design for any device that they want to create, test, and implement into a final product.
What is a mechanical design engineer?
A mechanical design engineer solves problems by designing new products. He also does this by creating processes or design concepts. He finds innovative solutions to solve problems. Are you are looking to create new products or improve your product line? Then it may be time for you to hire a professional!
Why do you need mechanical design engineering for your business?
Design engineering helps in both the pre-production stages of designing new products and post-production. In the second case, he makes the redesigns that are necessary due to design flaws or design problems with existing products.
If you run a business that designs anything from cars to medical equipment, design engineering is a must for your brand. This process ensures that products are made correctly. But not only this, he ensures he makes these with the correct materials. Also, he makes sure that they will work as intended for their purpose.
The benefits of having mechanical design engineering expert in your business?
Having a mechanical design engineering expert in your business has a lot of benefits. Are you are looking for an expert to join your team? Let’s see some examples of what a professional can give you:
- Designing and manufacturing processes.
- Analyzing design alternatives.
- Project management abilities for design projects.
- Also, designing design components and systems.
- Conducting design analysis, research and development.
- Design evaluating design solutions in different situations.
These benefits make mechanical design engineering a key role in design work. But also they make it crucial for the success of your business.
What Does a Mechanical Design Engineer Do?
Mechanical design engineers are the ones to find new and well working solutions to solve problems. But to do this, they also consider manufacturable and safe issues that might come up.
Some of their daily tasks include developing design concepts, analyzing design options, and coordinating with other engineering disciplines.
The engineering mechanical design process is a process that transforms product ideas into 3-dimensional representations of the product.
The mechanical design engineer’s job is to create drawings and diagrams for various parts of the project. Also, it is his job to write documents explaining how their parts are all supposed to come together.
Many people say that designing mechanical systems is one of the most challenging things you can do in engineering. This is because it requires so many skill sets, but there are plenty who say it’s also one of the most rewarding!
People who work as mechanical design engineers typically have at least a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. They work in many industries. And they can often get hired by design firms, design studios, and manufacturing companies.
Are design engineering and mechanical engineering the same?
Design engineering and mechanical design are not the same. Mechanical design is a design process that combines design with the principles of mechanics. The design engineer creates new products that solve the problems people face. Mechanical engineering is the design of a product, system, or process and encompasses many disciplines.
Do you want to know exactly what design engineering entails when it comes to creating a product? Then, we recommend you read our article Product Design Engineering: Everything You Wish To Know!
Can a mechanical engineer be a designer?
Yes, mechanical engineers can design products. However, they also typically look at how their clients or bosses will manufacture a product. And they make sure they consider all the disciplines of manufacturing.
The mechanical field is wider than the engineering design field. To explain, it is like an umbrella to the engineering design. So, the design falls under the umbrella of the mechanical field. So, the answer is yes, a mechanical engineer has the knowledge to be a designer.
Can a design engineer be a mechanical engineer?
No, typically they can’t. A design engineer is not necessarily a mechanical design engineer. The design engineers create innovative solutions to solve problems. But, they don’t take care of safety issues, etc. On the other hand, the mechanical design engineering design process requires someone to have an extended knowledge of material science, math and design principles.
The only case a design engineer can be a mechanical one is to be first a mechanical and then he becomes an expert in design. Or in the case a design engineer studies and gets any related credentials on the field. This is the only way to happen.
What are the typical duties for a Mechanical Design Engineering expert?
The mechanical engineering design process is a design that combines design with the principles of mechanics. An expert thinks of innovative design solutions. He also creates a design of structures and parts that support a new product design.
The mechanical design engineer is also responsible for the analysis and design of mechanical elements, design of tools and equipment, design of new processes and systems.
He is in charge of the design process itself: including research, design, design evaluation and design report. But, let’s find out more.
So, what are the typical duties for a mechanical design engineering expert?
- Project management: The professional can be in charge of design project management.
- Technical design: He might be in charge of providing technical support and ensure the success of a design process.
- Analysis design: The mechanical is in charge of analysis design.
- Developing design criteria/requirements: This means he makes sure the product meets the customer’s needs.
- Test design: The mechanical is in charge of design, analysis, and testing.
- Design verification & validation: This means he must ensure that the design of the product is valid and verified to follow certain laws, material science, tolerance, etc.
What should a mechanical design engineer know?
There are some things that make a typical mechanical design engineer differ from an expert one. Though, there is some knowledge and skills they share.
So, what are the typical qualifications a mechanical design engineer should have?
- Sheet Metal or Plastic Design.
- Complete product knowledge.
- Thermal and structural calculations.
- CAD Design.
- The manufacturing principles for design.
- Proper selection of the materials.
- Product and material testing.
- Tolerance Analysis.
- Manufacturing.
What are the key skills required to be a Mechanical Engineering design expert?
There are many requirements for someone to be a mechanical engineering design expert. But what about the key skills one should have? What should you be looking for when you are about to hire one?
The skills an expert should have are:
- Excellent knowledge of mathematics.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- IT literate.
- Highly organized.
- Excellent problem-solving skills.
- Strong initiative.
- Team player with ability to work on his own.
- Emotional intelligence.
- Empathy.
- Decisiveness.
- And adaptability.
These abilities aid a mechanical engineer in comprehending how to produce, maintain, and construct mechanical systems. They do this by communicating with customers and team members.
What is the mechanical design engineering process an expert follows?
It is important to know the process an expert follows. Though, as this is an article to help you understand the entire process, we will keep it as simple as possible.
The engineer goes through several design steps:
1. Define the problem
The mechanical has to define the design problem and make sure to gather as much information as possible.
The design engineer must decide what product he will design. Then, he writes the requirements for design. After that, he creates a design concept. He does this based on those requirements and constraints, such as weight budgets or performance specifications.
2. Research and identify potential solutions
The mechanical will do design research. He does this to find the best design solutions for the design problem.
The initial step in this process is to conduct a literature search on potential solutions. This includes previously designed products that are available from other sources or previous work done by your company or team members.
He might also consider leveraging existing designs with design components, design materials, or design processes that they can use in the new design.
After researching potential solutions for the design problem, the mechanical design engineering has to evaluate them. And then he has to choose one which is most likely to work best compared to all the studied designs.
Once he has chosen an initial concept, it will have to be evaluated more rigorously against design requirements.
At this point, the mechanical has to use design analysis tools and techniques. With these, he can evaluate the design concept against other criteria, such as cost, manufacturable issues, reliability, environmental impact.
This is an iterative process. And it ends when the professional considers each of these elements meets the design requirements within prescribed limits. Or otherwise, he abandons the design concept. Here, he has to identify another design solution or approach.
3. Create a prototype (or model) to test solutions
The mechanical design engineering expert will produce a prototype, which is the model of the design to be tested.
For example, let’s say this was an automobile design. Then it may include creating scale models or computer simulations that would enable design engineers and other team members to evaluate some important factors. These could be its appearance, features, and functionality. He has to do this before proceeding with full-scale development.
The designer will design the prototype, considering all design specifications and constraints.
Once he does this, he has to test the design against design requirements for performance, cost, and other criteria.
If this step is successful, then the design moves forward in development process. But if not, then they have to go back through research and design steps to design, prototype, and test other design solutions. They do this until they find one that meets design requirements.
This process repeats itself during various stages of the development cycle.
It requires a continuous focus by design engineers throughout the entire design process. This is because he needs to ensure that the design maintains their integrity while meeting or exceeding customer expectations.
Do you need expert help with creating a prototype for your product? Then, you may consider our prototyping services.
4. Evaluate the results of the prototype (or model)
After the mechanical has tested the prototype, he will produce a report that documents findings and recommends next steps. This is important because design engineers can use this documentation to identify changes needed in design if necessary.
5. Implement changes based on evaluation feedback if necessary
If the mechanical design engineering expert find out that prototype is not meeting design requirements, he will have to make changes and test the design again.
This step of development is very important. This is because it allows engineers to solve problems early in the design process. And that can happen before they get too expensive or complicated to fix.
6. Repeat steps 2-5 until the ultimate design or goal is reached
The mechanical design engineering is an iterative process. To explain, this means it repeats itself until the design engineers feel satisfied with the last design or goal of the product design is reached.
This process is also called design cycle or design method. And it can vary depending on the product and goals of the mechanical design engineer. But design cycle is an iterative design process which continues until the mechanical design engineers and their clients feel the design meets their requirements.
How to find a mechanical design engineering expert?
There are many companies who provide design, prototyping and testing services.
To find a design company that is right for your business, you need to understand the mechanical design engineering process. You also need to understand how design companies approach this design method.
You can find design engineers by visiting their company website, searching directories, or contacting companies. Or you can ask for referrals to design engineers.
Then, once you have found someone, make sure he has the required skills and qualifications to be an expert in the field. The best results can come only from someone who knows what the job needs.
Do you want to ensure you make the best choice for your needs? We have a team of engineering and mechanical experts that can help you get the best results! Our team comprises passionate members, who are satisfied only when they achieve product success. Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Final Thoughts
The engineering mechanical design process is hard, and it requires many skills. To design a product means to make a plan for its construction, operation, and use.
The engineering mechanical design process requires a lot of unique skills, which are needed in order to design the product that meets customer requirements.
This process is laborious. But with the right mechanical design engineers or brand, you can make it much easier on yourself.
Are you ready to take the next step? We are a team of product, design and mechanical engineers that can help you make your dream come true! Feel free to contact us with any questions!
